The Prince's Arranged Marriage
Chapter 34: Differences

Chapter 34: Differences

The sun hung high over Valtoria as Lucien stepped onto the grand Valtorian Colonnade, his gaze sweeping across the breathtaking expanse of Avaloria’s capital. From the moment they had begun their official tour of the city, he had been awestruck by its sheer grandeur. Valtoria was unlike anything he had ever seen before, a city that radiated wisdom, power, and legacy in every stone and archway. The roads were paved with gleaming white marble, polished smooth under centuries of footfall. Towering statues of Avaloria’s past rulers lined the promenade, their expressions carved in stoic determination, each a silent sentinel of history.

Lucien and Alexander walked side by side, their movements perfectly measured, their smiles calculated. The eyes of the Avalorian people were upon them, watching, assessing. Lucien felt the weight of their expectations pressing upon his shoulders. The citizens bowed their heads respectfully as the procession passed, and he couldn’t help but notice the difference in their demeanor compared to the people of Veridia. While Veridians were often expressive and passionate, Avalorians carried themselves with a composed elegance, their gestures refined and deliberate.

"This city is magnificent," Lucien remarked, keeping his voice steady.

Alexander nodded, glancing around with a familiar fondness in his gaze. "Valtoria is the heart of Avaloria, a city that has stood unshaken for centuries. Everything you see has been carefully preserved, built upon traditions that have guided my kingdom for generations."

Lucien studied the statues as they passed, his eyes lingering on one of a past Avalorian king clad in ceremonial armor, his sword planted firmly in the ground. "It’s clear that history is deeply valued here."

"It is," Alexander confirmed. "Legacy is everything to Avaloria. Every ruler, every scholar, every artist adds another layer to the kingdom’s tapestry."

Lucien found himself comparing it to Veridia. While his homeland also had a deep-rooted history, Veridians embraced progress with fervor, always eager to innovate and challenge the old ways. Where Avaloria honored its past with reverence, Veridia sought to redefine its future. He wondered, not for the first time, how two kingdoms so different could ever truly unite.

They continued their tour through the Scholar’s Quarter, where the kingdom’s brightest minds studied within grand academies and towering libraries. The streets were quieter here, filled with scholars in long robes carrying thick tomes, their discussions hushed but intense. Lucien felt an undeniable admiration for Avaloria’s dedication to knowledge. Though Veridia boasted its own prestigious institutions, the sheer scale of Avaloria’s academic pursuits was unparalleled.

At the heart of the Scholar’s Quarter stood the Grand Archives, an ancient structure with colossal pillars and an entrance guarded by two golden griffins. Inside, the scent of old parchment filled the air, and shelves of manuscripts stretched as far as the eye could see. Lucien trailed his fingers over the spines of books that contained histories dating back thousands of years.

"You’d like this place," Alexander mused. "You have the mind of a strategist. Avalorian scholars would find your insights fascinating."

Lucien smirked. "Are you implying I should take up residence here?"

Alexander’s lips twitched. "Only if you can tolerate the endless debates on philosophy and governance."

Lucien chuckled but said nothing. He had to admit, there was something deeply alluring about the wisdom preserved in this place.

They soon made their way to the bustling markets, where Avalorian artisans displayed their finest wares. Lucien observed the delicate Avalorian tapestries woven with intricate patterns of gold and silver, the enchanted jewelry that shimmered with a faint magical glow, and the refined calligraphy scrolls inscribed with poetic Avalorian verses. The Avalorian aesthetic was strikingly different from Veridia’s, where art was bold and expressive, favoring deep hues and dynamic strokes.

As they stopped at a small bookstall, Lucien picked up a beautifully bound volume filled with Avalorian poetry. "Do you read poetry, Alexander?"

"Occasionally," Alexander admitted, eyeing the book in Lucien’s hands. "That one is a collection of works from the Second Age—poems written about war, duty, and longing."

Lucien flipped through the pages, pausing at a verse that caught his eye. He read it quietly before glancing at Alexander. "And which of those themes speaks to you the most?"

Alexander hesitated, then said, "Duty."

Lucien wasn’t surprised. "Of course."

"What about you?" Alexander asked, tilting his head slightly.

Lucien considered the question, his fingers tightening around the book. "Longing."

Their eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, something unspoken passed between them. But before Lucien could decipher it, Alexander turned away, the moment slipping through his fingers like grains of sand.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the city, they returned to Valtoria Palace to prepare for their departure to the next city. Lucien stood before the large windows of his chamber, gazing out at the sprawling cityscape. He had seen so much, yet there was still a sense of unfamiliarity clinging to him. He belonged to Veridia, and despite the beauty and grandeur of Avaloria, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was still an outsider here.

A knock on the door drew his attention. "Come in," he called.

Alexander stepped inside, his expression unreadable. "Are you ready for tomorrow?"

Lucien turned to face him fully. "As ready as I’ll ever be."

Alexander studied him for a moment before speaking. "I noticed you’ve been deep in thought all day."

Lucien hesitated before sighing. "This place... It’s different. Everything here feels so meticulously crafted, so steeped in tradition. Veridia is not like this. We move forward, we embrace change. And yet, here I am, expected to blend into a world that’s been standing still for centuries."

Alexander crossed his arms. "Avaloria doesn’t stand still, Lucien. We preserve what matters, but we evolve where we must."

"Perhaps," Lucien conceded. "But it’s a different kind of evolution than what I’m used to." He ran a hand through his hair. "And I can’t help but wonder if this... if we... are meant to fit into each other’s worlds."

Alexander was silent for a long moment before he finally spoke. "You’re not alone in feeling this way."

Lucien blinked, caught off guard by the admission.

"I grew up knowing my duty," Alexander continued. "I knew that Avaloria’s strength lay in its traditions. But this engagement, this tour—it’s changed things. And sometimes, I wonder if I am truly the right person to lead Avaloria into a future where we must forge a new path."

Lucien exhaled slowly. "We’re both caught in something far greater than ourselves."

Alexander gave a small nod. "But that doesn’t mean we won’t find our place in it."

Lucien studied him carefully before offering a wry smile. "That’s surprisingly optimistic of you."

Alexander arched a brow. "Don’t get used to it."

For the first time since arriving in Avaloria, Lucien felt a small weight lift off his shoulders. Perhaps they weren’t as different as he had thought.

The next morning, as the royal convoy prepared to depart Valtoria, Lucien stood beside Alexander, watching the Avalorian banners flutter in the wind. The next city Velmara awaited them, another step forward in their journey. Whatever lay ahead, Lucien knew one thing for certain—this was only the beginning.

Velmara, the jewel of Avaloria’s waterways, is a city unlike any other. Built upon a vast network of interconnected canals and floating platforms, it thrives as a center of trade, where merchants from distant lands converge to exchange rare goods, spices, and exotic textiles. The city’s foundation shifts with the tide, creating a mesmerizing dance of wooden docks and stone pathways that seem to breathe with the rhythm of the water. Instead of streets, gondolas and sleek riverboats glide effortlessly through the labyrinthine canals, their oars dipping into crystal-clear waters that shimmer under the glow of lantern-lit bridges. Velmara is a city of motion, its heartbeat measured by the gentle lapping of waves against its ever-moving foundations.

Beyond its role as a commercial powerhouse, Velmara is a vibrant cultural haven where Avalorian artistry flourishes. The scent of fresh seafood and spiced delicacies wafts from floating market stalls, where vendors balance delicately on wooden platforms as they barter with eager buyers. Musicians perform on gondolas, their melodies drifting over the canals, while performers dazzle with displays of acrobatics on suspended walkways. The architecture is a stunning fusion of Avalorian elegance and maritime ingenuity, with grand mansions built on reinforced stilts, adorned with cascading flowers and shimmering glass mosaics that reflect the ever-changing hues of the sky. Despite its fluid nature, Velmara stands as a testament to Avaloria’s ability to adapt, proving that even the most unpredictable of landscapes can be tamed and transformed into a thriving metropolis.

Our Velmara Itinerary included an arrival at the Grand Waterway Arrival where we would be welcomed with a regal procession via gondola, escorted by a fleet of ornately decorated boats. The city’s leaders will greet them at the central floating plaza, where they will address the gathered citizens.

After that it would be followed by a tour of the floating markets of Velmara, a cultural showcase at the Moonlit Pavilion and a few other activities.

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